JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Kentucky State built a two-touchdown halftime advantage Saturday before Edward Waters rallied in the second half to hand the Thorobreds a 61-42 setback at Nathaniel Glover Community Field & Stadium.
Kentucky State (4-2, 3-1 SIAC) led 28-14 at halftime after scoring four touchdowns over the opening two quarters, but Edward Waters (5-1, 4-0 SIAC) scored 47 second-half points to come from behind.
The Thorobreds finished with 409 yards of total offense, including 321 through the air, and scored on all five of their trips inside the red zone.
Quarterback
Juan Gainous completed 20 of 38 passes for 290 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for a score.
Joshua Thomas Jr. led Kentucky State with 83 receiving yards on four catches, including a touchdown, while
Jaden Hale caught five passes for 73 yards and a score.
Darius Cyprian added five receptions for 49 yards and a touchdown.
Tristan Thomas scored twice on the ground, finishing with 25 yards on 10 carries.
Edward Waters opened the scoring on its first possession, but Kentucky State answered with an 11-play, 70-yard drive capped by Thomas' 1-yard touchdown run with 5:34 remaining in the opening quarter.
The Thorobreds took their first lead later in the quarter when Gainous connected with Thomas Jr. for a 29-yard touchdown, putting Kentucky State ahead 14-7.
Kentucky State extended the margin to 21-7 just seven seconds into the second quarter.
Denim Johnson found Cyprian for a 24-yard touchdown to finish a three-play, 45-yard drive.
After Edward Waters cut the lead to seven, Kentucky State responded again. Thomas scored his second touchdown on a 2-yard run with 3:25 remaining before halftime, giving the Thorobreds a 28-14 advantage.
The Tigers scored three unanswered touchdowns in the third quarter, taking a 33-28 lead on an 11-yard touchdown pass from Tavion Faulk to Jayden Pressey with 4:53 remaining in the period.
Kentucky State answered with a nine-play, 75-yard drive. Gainous capped the possession with a 1-yard touchdown run with 30 seconds left in the third quarter, putting the Thorobreds back in front, 34-33.
The lead was short-lived. Edward Waters scored 14 points over the opening 3:17 of the fourth quarter to move ahead 47-34.
Kentucky State remained within striking distance when Gainous connected with Hale for a 15-yard touchdown with 9:06 remaining. Gainous then found
Alex Beard on the 2-point conversion, cutting the deficit to 47-42.
Edward Waters closed the game with two rushing touchdowns to secure the 61-42 final.
Faulk led the Tigers by completing 32 of 40 passes for 498 yards and four touchdowns while adding a rushing score. Edward Waters finished with 614 yards of total offense.
Defensively,
Kendrick Curry paced Kentucky State with nine tackles.
Roman Hernandez recorded seven tackles, forced a fumble and intercepted a pass, returning it 24 yards.
Micheal Daniels added a fumble recovery, while
Carlos Bazert Jr. recorded a blocked kick.
Kentucky State finished with 24 first downs and held the ball for 31:43. The Thorobreds converted 5 of 15 third downs and 2 of 4 fourth-down opportunities.
UP NEXT
The Thorobreds return home for a Homecoming matchup against league opponent Miles on Saturday, Oct. 10, kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
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